Reviews

Sony expanded the PlayStation Plus subscription service in 2022. The most expensive iteration currently available is Premium. So, is this tier worth the extra costs? You can find out in this review article at Seeking Tech. 

What comes with PS Plus Premium? 

By being a member of PlayStation Plus Premium, you will have access to the following: 

Online Multiplayer – While online multiplayer is completely free for games that are free-to-play, you need to subscribe to any of the PS Plus tiers (including Premium) in order to pay multiplayer modes for other titles.  

Cloud Save Back Ups – Unlike PS4 games, you won’t be able to back up the save files of PS5 titles by using an USB storage drive. Instead, you need to subscribe to any of the PlayStation Plus plans in order to back up these saved data to cloud storage.  

Game Help – By using this PS Plus feature, you are able to view video clips that will guide you through a particular section. 

Share Play – With this exclusive feature, you will be able to play offline multiplayer games online with friends, provided that they are also subscribed to PS Plus. You can also have others take control of your game.  

Monthly Games Catalog – Every month, Sony will provide a list containing a handful PS4 and PS5 games that you have full access to playing as long as you stay subscribed to the service.  

PlayStation Plus Collection – This is a PS5-exclsuive collection of PlayStation 4 games that you can add to your library. Similar to monthly games, you must remain a member of any of the PlayStation Plus plans in order to play these titles.  

Game Catalog – The Game Catalog contain hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games that you can instantly download and play on your console as long as you remain a member of the Extra, Deluxe or Premium tiers.  

Classics Catalog – This collection includes retro games that have been remastered or emulated on the PS4 and/or PS5. You must maintain a membership to either the Deluxe or Premium tier in order to keep playing these titles. 

Game Trials – This feature allows you to play select games from the very beginning. You should then be able to carry your progress over if you decide to purchase the full game.

Cloud Streaming – Exclusive to the PlayStation Plus Premium is cloud streaming, a feature that will let you play PS3 and PS4 games on your console as well as other devices like PC, tablet and smartphones. 

Members Only DLC Packs – If you are a member to any of the PS Plus plans, then you will get access exclusive downloadable content for specific games. 

Members Only Discounts – By being a subscriber to any tier, you may also get members-only discounts on digital content sold on the PlayStation Store.  

What we like about PlayStation Plus Premium 

What we loved most about using the PlayStation Plus Premium is that you will have access to hundreds of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games through the Monthly Games Catalog, PlayStation Plus Collection and Game Catalog. If don’t mind not owning games, then you should be able to save a lot of money by subbing to this tier instead of buying each title individually. 

While we don’t really use Cloud Streaming, Game Trails, Game Help or Share Play, you may find these features helpful from time to time. Cloud Streaming, if you have the right setup, is especially great if you want to play a game when you don’t have access to your console. 

The members only DLC packs and discounts may become beneficial for you at some point as well. 

Although we don’t like putting online multiplayer and PS5 save file backups behind a paywall, you will get these benefits too if you decide to become a Premium member.  

What we hate about PlayStation Plus Premium 

The only problem we have with the PlayStation Plus Premium is the Classics Catalog.  

Currently, there is not much being offered that justifies the extra costs. Not to mention that PS3 games are limited to streaming, which results in lower image quality and higher input lag when compared to playing the same titles on the original hardware. 

Should you get PlayStation Plus Premium? 

We recommend getting PlayStation Plus Premium if you enjoy playing classic games. With that said, the current lineup for the Classics Catalog is underwhelming, especially when you consider the abundance of quality games came out for the PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3. Hopefully, this catalog will improve over time as Sony gets better at adding new classics to the service. 

With that said, Premium is the only tier that also offers Game Trials and Cloud Streaming. If you are interested in either, or both, of these features, then this tier may be worth it even with the lackluster retro games lineup. 

Otherwise, you may want to get PlayStation Plus Extra instead as you will get all of the same benefits aside from the Classics Catalog, Game Trials and Cloud Streaming.  

PlayStation Plus Premium or PlayStation Plus Essential? 

When compared to PlayStation Plus Essential, the Premium Plus comes with the following additions: Game Catalog, Classics Catalog, Game Trials and Cloud Streaming.  

For us, the biggest selling point for the more expensive Premium tier is Game Catalog, which grants you access to hundreds of more games aside from those you get from the Monthly Games Catalog and PS Plus Collection.  

Therefore, it may be worth upgrading from Essential to Premium.  

PlayStation Plus Premium or PlayStation Plus Extra? 

As we stated above, the Classics Catalog, Game Trials and Cloud Streaming benefits are exclusive to Premium.  

With PlayStation Plus Extra, however, you still get the Monthly Games Catalog and PS Plus Collection to go along with the Game Catalog. If you don’t mind missing out on retro games as well as the other Premium-only features, then the Extra tier is an excellent alternative. 

PlayStation Plus Premium or PlayStation Plus Deluxe? 

PlayStation Plus Deluxe comes with everything from the Premium tier with the exception of Cloud Streaming. Depending on your country, you will only get one of these two tiers.  

If you don’t want to jump through some hoops, we recommend that you stick with the highest tier from your region.  

In select regions, you are able to subscribe to the new Deluxe tier of PlayStation Plus. So, is this subscription worth it or are you better off with a different plan? You can find out in this review post at Seeking Tech.  

What’s included with PS Plus Deluxe? 

By being an active member of the PlayStation Plus Deluxe tier, you will be able to get the following benefits: 

Online Multiplayer for Paid Games – To be able to play online multiplayer modes on paid games, you will need to subscribe to Deluxe or any of the other tiers of PS Plus. You don’t need a subscription to play free-to-play multiplayer titles. 

Back Up Save Files to Cloud – The only way to back up your save files is through the cloud storage. In order to access it, you need to be a member to any of the available Plus tiers.  

Game Help – This is a subscription feature that is only exclusive to the PlayStation 5. It provide video hints on supported games.  

Share Play – With this feature, you are able to play any local multiplayer games with another friend over the internet as long as they are also subscribed to any of the PlayStation Plus subs. The friend can also take over your controls in single-player games.  

Monthly Games Catalog – With Deluxe, you will have a list of games that you can play. This catalog is refresh monthly and usually contains a handful of PS4 and PS5 titles. 

PlayStation Plus Collection – This is a PS5 exclusive catalog that contains a list of 19 popular PS4 games that are backwards compatible.  

Games Catalog – The Games Catalog will give you full access to hundreds of games, including some of the biggest titles, for PS4 and PS5.  

Classics Catalog – This list focuses on select emulated and remastered games that originally came out before the PlayStation 4 generation.  

Timed Game Trials – With this feature, you are able to play select games from the very beginning for a limited amount of time. You should then be able to take your progress to the full game.  

Exclusive DLC Packs – The PlayStation Plus membership will grant you access to DLC packs for select games. 

Exclusive Discounts – By being a member of Deluxe or the other Plus tiers, you can also get exclusive discounts for digital content found on the PlayStation Store.  

What we like about PlayStation Plus Deluxe 

What we loved about the PlayStation Plus is that, by being a member, you will get instant access to hundreds of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games due to the Monthly Games Catalog, PlayStation Plus Collection, Games Catalog and Classics Catalog.  

These lists include acclaimed titles from a variety of genres. Therefore, chances are very high that you find something of interest that makes the value of the subscription more than worth it in the end.  

While we don’t really take advantage of the timed game trials, game help, share play, exclusive DLC or exclusive discounts, these may cater to your interests as well. 

What we don’t like about PlayStation Plus Deluxe 

The only issue we have with this subscription is that puts online multiplayer for paid games, as well as the cloud save back up feature, behind a pay wall. We would rather have these features free for us and other players as the other benefits of this service is more than good enough to justify the costs. 

Should you get PlayStation Plus Deluxe? 

If you like to play a lot of games but don’t have the budget to buy them, then PlayStation Plus Deluxe provides a lot of value as you will get access to hundreds of games to play on your PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition consoles. 

By being a member, you will also be able to take advantage of timed game trials, game help, share play, exclusive DLC and exclusive discounts. Not to mention that you will also unlock online multiplayer for paid games along with cloud save backups.  

PlayStation Plus Deluxe or PlayStation Plus Essential? 

We recommend picking up the Deluxe tier over the Essential tier as the former comes Games Catalog and Classics Catalog. Without these catalogs, which contains hundreds of additional titles, you will be limited to a handful of monthly games. 

PlayStation Plus Deluxe or PlayStation Plus Extra? 

Depending on how interested you are when it comes to playing emulated or classic games from older generations, then you may also want to pick up the Deluxe tier over the Extra tier. PS Plus Deluxe also offers timed game trials. 

With that said, we find that the current lineups for the Classics Catalog and timed trials to be scarce and underwhelming. Therefore, you may want to stick with PlayStation Plus Extra and then upgrade to the Deluxe tier if you Classics Catalog and/or timed trials lists get better over time. 

PlayStation Plus Deluxe or PlayStation Plus Premium? 

Depending on your region, you will either get PlayStation Plus Deluxe or PlayStation Plus Premium. The Premium tier offers the additional ability to stream PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 games on your console or other devices. 

While there are ways that you can get Premium over Deluxe, it may too much of a hassle, especially when you consider that the streaming quality of PlayStation Plus may not work perfectly in your region. 

Thus, we recommend that you stick with the Deluxe tier unless Sony decides to officially bring cloud streaming to your region. 

The PlayStation Plus Extra is a subscription that launched in 2022. So, is this more expensive tier of PS Plus worth the upgrade? You can find out in this review article at Seeking Tech. 

What are the benefits for PlayStation Plus Extra? 

By subscribing to PlayStation Plus Extra, you will get the following benefits: 

Unlock Online Multiplayer for Paid Games – A PlayStation Plus subscription to any tier, including Extra, is required if you want to unlock online multiplayer for premium paid games. With that said, PS Plus is not required for free-to-play games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Warzone. 

Unlock PS5 Save Data Backup to Cloud Storage – The only way you can back up your save files for PlayStation 5 games is by uploading it to the cloud server. In order to use this feature, you must be a member of any of the PS Plus tiers, including Extra.  

Share Play – This feature allows you to play local multiplayer games with a friend over the internet. The friend can also take control of your game online if you need help beating a boss or section.  

Game Help – In supported video games, you can bring up the Game Help menu that will provide video tips that are design to guide you in case you feel stuck.  

Monthly Games Catalog – With PS Plus Extra, you will have a list of monthly games that you can download at no additional costs. As long as you remain a member, you will full access to these titles. 

PlayStation Plus Collection – This compilation is exclusive to PlayStation 5 owners as it contains a list of popular PS4 games that you can download at no additional costs. Just like the Monthly Games Catalog, you must remain a member of PS Plus in order to have full access to these titles. 

Games Catalog – The biggest selling point of PlayStation Plus Extra is the Games Catalog, which gives you full access to hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games. You will need to remain a member of the Extra tier or higher to be able to play these titles. Furthermore, you will lose access to these games, even if you stay subscribed to the Extra tier, if they are removed from this catalog. 

Exclusive DLC Packs – With any tiers of PlayStation Plus, you will have access to exclusive DLC packs for select games.  

Exclusive Discounts – With Extra, or any other PS Plus tiers, you will also get exclusive discounts on games, DLC and other digital content from the official PlayStation Store.  

What we like about PlayStation Plus Extra 

The best part about PlayStation Plus Extra is easily its Games Catalog. This collection contains hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games from many different genres. If you didn’t previously own a PS4, then this is a great way to catch up on the previous generation. Not to mention that you will also get access to several acclaimed PS5 games as well.  

The Monthly Games and PlayStation Plus Collection will also add some stellar titles to your library. If you remain a subscriber to the Extra tier, you can easily last through the PS5 generation without having to buy a single game. 

If you plan on buying a lot of digital games and other content from the PlayStation Store, then the occasional PS Plus exclusive discount is another positive aspect of this service. 

While the Exclusive DLC Packs, Share Play and Game Help features may be underutilized, you may find these beneficial in your case. 

What we hate about PlayStation Plus Extra 

The only real major problems we have with PlayStation Plus Extra is that it locks online multiplayer for paid games and cloud save backups to a pay wall. The latter of which is egregious when you consider that Microsoft offers cloud storage for save files absolutely free on the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. 

Should you get PlayStation Plus Extra? 

We highly recommend getting PlayStation Plus Extra as you will be granted access to hundreds of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games thanks to its Games Catalog, Monthly Games Catalog and PlayStation Plus Collection. If you are planning to play a lot of games on your PS4 or PS5 console, then you can easily save a lot of money by not having to buy connately buy software. 

With Extra, you will also get benefits such as Game Help, Share Play in addition to exclusive discounts and DLC. While we are not happy about online multiplayer for paid games and cloud save backup being put behind a paywall, the Extra tier will also unlock these features.  

PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Essential?

The major difference between the Extra and Essential tiers is that the Extra offers a Games Catalog, which contains hundreds of games that can be instantly accessed. 

So, by only paying a little bit more per month, the Extra tier provides tremendous value when it comes to the extensive game library.  

If you are only planning to play a handful of games on your console, however, then you may be better off with the cheaper PlayStation Plus Essential.

PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Deluxe? 

PlayStation Plus Deluxe includes all of the benefits from PlayStation Plus Extra while adding a Classics Catalog. This collection includes select remastered titles as well as emulated PS1, PS2 and PSP games.  

Unless you are really into retro gaming, we recommend sticking with Extra over the Deluxe tier. It is also important to note that the current selection of classic games have been a little underwhelming since the service has launched. 

PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Premium?

PlayStation Plus Premium is the most expensive tier available. It comes with everything from the Extra tier while adding the Classics catalog to go along with the ability to stream PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 games. The streaming can be done on PC, smartphone, tablet or directly from your PS4 or PS5 console.  

With the Premium tier, you can also download trial versions for specific games.  

Unless you are into classic games, streaming and/or playing trials, we also recommend stick with the Extra tier over upgrading to the more expensive Premium tier.

In 2022, PlayStation Plus was split into multiple tiers with Essential being the lowest one available. So, will you be getting your money’s worth with this subscription. You can find out in this Seeking Tech review article for PlayStation Plus Essential. 

Benefits 

By subscription to the Essential tier, you will get the following benefits: 

Online Multiplayer for Paid Games – This is the most controversial aspect of PlayStation Plus as it requires you to stay subscribed in order to play online multiplayer matches with other players. With that said, this rule only applies to paid games as free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone don’t need a subscription. It is also important to note that Nintendo and Microsoft also lock online multiplayer for paid games on their consoles as well.  

PlayStation Plus Collection – This is a catalog of some of the more prominent PlayStation 4 games such as Bloodborne, God of War and Monster Hunter World. There are currently 19 titles available in this compilation. In order to access it, you need a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Digital Edition system.  

Monthly Games Catalog – These are a handful of games that are given out on a monthly basis. Once you add these titles to your game library, you will be able to play them as long as you remain a member of PlayStation Plus Essential or a higher tier. 

Cloud Storage for Saved Data – This will give you the ability to upload save files from PS4 and PS5 games to the cloud storage. This is the only way to back up saves for PlayStation 5 games. For PlayStation 4 games, you can use back up saved data by using a USB storage device to go along with cloud uploads. 

Exclusive DLC Packs – These are free downloadable content packs that are only available to PS Plus members. The packs mostly include in-game currency and skins for specific games. 

Exclusive Discounts – PlayStation Plus subscribers will also get exclusive discounts on games and downloadable content on the PlayStation Store. 

Share Play – This is a feature that let you share a game on your PlayStation 5 with another player over the Internet via streaming. You can let the other player take control of your game or play a local multiplayer game with them. 

Game Help – This is a PS5 exclusive feature that give you video hints in supported games. The tips may include help with obtaining trophies or getting past a tough section. 

What we like about PlayStation Plus Essential 

The best features of the PlayStation Plus Essential is the monthly games catalog as you will get something notable more often than not. If you stay subscribed for a long time, then you are going to build up a solid library of games. 

The PlayStation Plus Collection is also a nice extra for those who either skipped out on these games on the PS4 or don’t have a PS4 console previously.

While we rarely take advantage of the Game Help, Share Play, exclusive discounts and exclusive DLC packs, these may benefit you as well.  

What we don’t like about PlayStation Plus Essential 

The main problem we have with PlayStation Plus Essential is that you will be locked out of online multiplayer matches for paid games if you don’t subscribe to it. Many other consumers have a major issue with this even though it has become common practice in the console gaming space.  

It is more egregious when you consider that free-to-play games on consoles don’t require a subscription. Not to mention that many of the same paid games can be played online without any fees on PC.  

Another major issue we have with this service is that cloud saves are locked behind it. Since there is currently no way you can back-up your saved data to a USB storage device, then this is the only method you can retain your save files if they get wiped from the local console storage. 

Keep in mind that Sony’s closest competitor, Microsoft, does not lock cloud saves to their Xbox Live Gold service. 

Should you get PlayStation Plus Essential? 

If you need to play online multiplayer matches for the games you bought on your PS4 or PS5, then you will need a PlayStation Plus Essential subscription. If you want to back up your save files for PS5 games, then you are also required to become a member. 

Thankfully, PlayStation Plus Essential does offer plenty of other benefits that makes the subscription worth its value even if you aren’t happy that it locks online multiplayer and cloud saves behind a pay wall. The monthly games catalog usually offers quality games while PS5 owners will gain access to some of the better titles that came out on the PS4 console via the PlayStation Plus Collection. 

The Game Help, Share Play, exclusive discounts and exclusive DLC features may also appeal to you as well. 

PlayStation Plus Essential or PlayStation Plus Extra? 

PlayStation Plus Extra comes with all the same benefits as PlayStation Plus Essential to go along with the Games Catalog, which contains hundreds of additional PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games.  

Since you only be paying a little bit more per month in order to gain instant access to a lot more titles, we recommend upgrading from Essential to Extra. 

PlayStation Plus Essential or PlayStation Plus Deluxe? 

PlayStation Plus Deluxe is exclusive to select region. With this tier, you will get the same benefits as Essential to go along with the Games Catalog of Extra. Deluxe also adds hundreds of classic games and remastered titles to go along with timed trials for PS4 and PS5 releases. 

If you enjoy playing games that came out before the PlayStation 4, then you might want to consider upgrading from Essential to Deluxe. With that said, we found that the current classic library to be lackluster; so, make sure you check the Classic Catalog list before making a decision. 

PlayStation Plus Essential or PlayStation Plus Premium? 

PlayStation Plus Premium offers the most games as it includes the monthly games and PlayStation Plus Collection from Essential, Games Catalog from Extra and Classics Catalog from Deluxe. With Premium, you will be able to stream PS3 and PS4 games on your console as well as other supported devices. 

It is important to note that streaming games usually have more input lag and less image quality when compared to being able to download and play titles natively on console.  

So, unless you have no other way to play PS3 games, then the most experience version of PS Plus may not be worth it over Essential or the other tiers.